There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
(08-10-2022, 10:04 PM)Timbavati Wrote: One of these Black dam young males has a very dark-maned. He is going to be a massive male. If the two Xikukutsu and Mapoza males do not join forces and chase these boys out of the area soon. A possibly confrontation is inminent. They're growing in strength and confidence. Definitely these BDYM means trouble for the nearby coalitions
Exactly my friend, if they don't reunite with Mapoza, they will sooner or later lose the territorial war to the 4 Black Dammers. Unless the young males decide to go elsewhere after being chased away once.
Or, they may gain confidence and try again.
These chases are like a game of bluff 9/10 times. Whoever blinks first and retreats first, will always be chased regardless... even if it is a bigger coalition of supeeior numbers. It is all about posturing and confidence.
i hope there other 2 bros come back and unite the coalition then they will be a real problem
(08-10-2022, 10:04 PM)Timbavati Wrote: One of these Black dam young males has a very dark-maned. He is going to be a massive male. If the two Xikukutsu and Mapoza males do not join forces and chase these boys out of the area soon. A possibly confrontation is inminent. They're growing in strength and confidence. Definitely these BDYM means trouble for the nearby coalitions
Exactly my friend, if they don't reunite with Mapoza, they will sooner or later lose the territorial war to the 4 Black Dammers. Unless the young males decide to go elsewhere after being chased away once.
Or, they may gain confidence and try again.
These chases are like a game of bluff 9/10 times. Whoever blinks first and retreats first, will always be chased regardless... even if it is a bigger coalition of supeeior numbers. It is all about posturing and confidence.
Exactly! Very well said my friend. This time the Black dam young males tested the waters. The Xikukutsu males responded to them. Numbers play a very important role in the lion dynamics, even is there are much younger males and less experiences ones. But often the confidence make them step in the stick. This coalition from what I've seen has a clearly "leader" or "header". The dark-maned young male has been always in front in every sighting I've seen of them patrolling or just testing the area. He is a stocky young male, and his mane is darkening even more. Those Black dam genes are strong!
The one and only- Up-close and personal with the Hercules male and members of the Giraffe pride at Umlani Bushcamp in the Timbavati Game Reserve
Photo credit: Pia Steck
Are the 2 sons of the BDM alive? If so are they dominant males? And are there pictures of them? I wonder if they got anywhere near as big as their father.
(08-12-2022, 10:16 AM)Mapokser Wrote: Are the 2 sons of the BDM alive? If so are they dominant males? And are there pictures of them? I wonder if they got anywhere near as big as their father.
the two monwana? they were dominant over the Giraffe's pride, unfortunately one died, it is unknown how but some speculate that he was killed by Hercules and Sumatra as they both appeared in the area at the time of the event. the surviving brother has a leg injury but so far has done well, he was recently seen with the young male giraffe, both nomads
(08-12-2022, 10:16 AM)Mapokser Wrote: Are the 2 sons of the BDM alive? If so are they dominant males? And are there pictures of them? I wonder if they got anywhere near as big as their father.
Only one of the two Monwana males is still alive. His brother also referred as the ,,healthy Monwana male" was found dead on Schoongezicht farm in early April 2021. Since then, the remaining Monwana male joined forces with the young Giraffe male (Also Black dam male offspring) the last Black dam male offspring before he succumbed after an unsuccessfully hunt with the Giraffe pride on Giraffe farm on 20th August 2020. The two Monwana males were said to have inherited the Black dam male size (The Monwana and Black dam) are some of the best bloodline around. Famous for producing some big specimens.
(08-12-2022, 10:16 AM)Mapokser Wrote: Are the 2 sons of the BDM alive? If so are they dominant males? And are there pictures of them? I wonder if they got anywhere near as big as their father.
Only one is alive. The one pictured on the post above yours “Limping Monwana” #5165
Let’s start off with the lions; now whilst there may not have been as much male action it. doesn’t mean that the intruding males left the area. In fact, Scotch found the two Black Dam young males right in the heart of Mayambula territory a few days ago. When it was reported that the Skorro males were seen chasing buffalos close to Tanda Tula Field Camp yesterday and other male lion tracks were seen in the Mayambula territory, we began to worry. This worry was amplified when a lioness was seen moving some young cubs further south along the Machaton Riverbed, and closer to where the roars of two male lions were heard.
Fortunately, it was a case of misidentification, and the roaring lions turned out to be the two Skorro males back in the heart of their domain, and the lions moving out of the area in the morning were likely the Black Dam boys. So for now, the Mayambula lionesses and their growing cubs seem safe enough. The pride remained in the north-east of our concession and crossed out of the concession a couple of times before returning to their usual haunts. They are looking in great shape, and despite the prey being scarcer in that area due to their presence, they are doing well to make ends meet. The Birmingham Breakaway young males also remained within our concession for a little longer and were seen out west, closer to Tanda Tula Plains Camp on a few occasions during the week.
The coalition found a sixth member and they spent some time moving around Giraffe Pride territory before moving back south. A day after the six fat-bellied boys were seen in the area, the Giraffe Pride eventually showed themselves on a zebra kill before once more heading to the south-west. Reports indicate that another lioness has given birth to four cubs, and this could be drawing the pride continuously back to the south. They were quite active around Plains Camp, and one day we even followed their tracks and saw that they had come to drink water in front of the camp. The last lion update was that of the lone Sark lioness that continues to remain isolated from her pride; Tristan had a great sighting of the lioness ascending a Marula tree to steal an impala kill from a young male leopard before making an unceremonious descent and hitting the ground with a mighty thud!
